Reward for information on Tower District attacker is now available

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP, or text 'Valley' to 738477.

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Monday, September 16, 2024 11:33PM
Reward for information on Tower District attacker is now available
A reward is now being offered to anyone who can help identify the man who Fresno police say brutally attacked an unhoused man while he was sleeping.

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A gruesome attack in the Tower District.

"That was uncalled for, that's not the way we roll down here," said Richie's Pizza owner, Anthony Ortega.

The video, which is blurred to hide the grisly beating, shows the man in a red sweater kicking and stomping an unhoused individual who was asleep in the early morning hours of August 26.

"There's something wrong with that man. There's no reason you should be treating another human being like that," said Ortega.

Fresno Police said the victim was a 47-year-old man. Officers found him bleeding from the back of his head and ear. There was also significant swelling to the back of his head.

RELATED: Suspect caught on camera assaulting sleeping unhoused man outside Fresno business

The attacker is still on the run. A $2,000 reward is now available to find the man responsible.

City Council Vice President, Mike Karbassi, said this kind of attack is frightening.

"If a person is willing to kick someone like that, who's defenseless, imagine what they would do to you or me," said Karbassi.

He doesn't represent the area where the attack happened, but he's put up $1,000 of his city budget to help bring the suspect to justice.

The other $1,000 is from Valley Crime Stoppers.

"It shouldn't be happening in any city in this country, let alone in Fresno," he said.

Unhoused Advocate Gordie Ochinero-Bermudez works in the community. She lived on the streets herself and understands the vulnerability facing the unhoused community.

"It was very disturbing to know that another human being in our community could do something without a single thought or even concern of what he may be inflicting on another human being," said Ochinero-Bermudez.

She hopes the victim is taking time to heal from this horrific attack.

"There's a community that's here that's wanting to get his back," said Ochinero-Bermudez.

Karbassi said the victim was released from the hospital and is said to be doing ok.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP, or text 'Valley' to 738477.

You can also visit the Valley Crime Stoppers' website and click 'submit a tip.'

If your tip leads to an arrest, you will be eligible for a cash reward.

If you are contacting Valley Crime Stoppers, do not also contact law enforcement as this will void your anonymous tip.

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